PCB Prototype

If you need prototype printed circuit boards, it's important to work with an assembler who can turn your designs around fast. These boards help verify you have the right design before you start a full production run so you can avoid costly errors. The sooner you get your prototype circuit board back, the sooner you can test it and get started on your standard production run. PCBCart is the PCB manufacturer with fast reaction. We offer quick-turn PCB prototypes to turn your prototype boards around fast while still maintaining complete adherence to your design specifications.

Depending on your custom requirements, we can prototype your PCB within 3-7 days, compared to 6-18 days of Standard PCB service. Check out our circuit board prototype capabilities in the following table:

• Boards for full production - Once you know that your design works, you can contact us for standard PCB service for full production for use in your applications.

• Slightly longer turnaround time - Since these are the boards you will actually be using, it takes a little longer to make sure we get everything just right. However, now that you have tested the design, you can go right into your projects once you get your boards.

• Boards with up to 9-32 layers - We have much more flexibility with materials and layers once we have the time to develop your full boards.

• FR-4, aluminum, flex or other types of boards

• Quality standard IPC2 boards

Refer to this handy chart for a complete breakdown of the differences between our circuit board prototype and standard circuit board services.

What Are the Benefits of Circuit Board Prototyping?

We recommend you PCB prototyping service for function testing of new products prior to making a commitment to a full-production run. Benefits of developing PCB board prototype include:

• Rapidly test and correct designs if there is any mistakes - After waiting over a week for your full boards, you’ll be eager to get them going in your applications. When you test your design beforehand with PCB prototypes, you can do just that.

• Potentially detect any design flaws in the early stages - The time to find out mistakes in your design is not when you have a full production run in your warehouse. PCB prototyping service allows you to spot any design problems in a few days, make adjustments and perfect the design before ordering your full run.

• Order low-quantity production runs featuring a MOQ of only five boards if necessary - Save money and reduce risks by putting off your big orders until you know you have the type of boards you want.

• Benefit from lower production tolerances - It offers a clear indication of how well your PCB will perform

Once your proto boards have demonstrated their ability to meet your quality and performance requirements, you are ready for a full production run. Then we will transition from PCB prototype board service to Standard PCB service, which provides tighter production tolerances and more advanced options, including a free Design for Manufacture (DFM) check that is capable of detecting potential issues that could reduce the quality of your PCB.

While it may be tempting to simply order your full printed circuit boards and decide you’ll deal with any design flaws that arise as they come, it’s rarely the most efficient solution. You may get the boards out sooner, but if something goes wrong, it could prove to be a lot costlier and more time-consuming than taking an extra few days to test a prototype.

Save Time and Money in the Long Run With PCB Rapid Prototyping Services from PCBCart

PCB prototyping is the best practice method used world-wide to verify the quality of a design before proceeding. In the past, some companies may not have had time to develop a prototype PCB, wait for the assembler to put that PCB prototype together and then test it. However, thanks to the rapid PCB prototyping offered by PCBCart, this is no longer an issue. You can send in your prototyping PCB board design and have a fast PCB prototype in a week or less, giving you plenty of time to test your PCB proto board to fully prepare for your regular production run.

Get an Instant PCB Prototyping Quote Now

Ready to order prototype PCBs? Click the below button to try our online PCB Prototype calculator, which allows you to independently generate a quote for your custom PCB prototyping project in seconds.